Aug 1 deadline for campaign seeking pardon

Red-shirt co-leader Veera Musigapong on Thursday distributed the forms for voters to sign the petition at the office of D Station at Lat Phrao.

Under the campaign procedures laid out by the red shirts, each form can contain up to six signatures and requires each voter to clearly spell out the name and the surname, the identification card number and a telephone number.

The signed forms can be submitted in person the D Station office or sent via the post office.

Interested individuals living upcountry can use photocopies or request for the form be sent via facsimile.

The distribution of the forms is scheduled between July 1 and July 11, in order to allow two weeks for signing returning.

The gist of the petition is as the following:

We, as our names and addresses appear at the end of the petition, would like to call for Your Majesty's attention on the economic grievances which brought about the September 19, 2006 coup.

Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted from power even though he was a knowledgeable and capable leader enjoying the people's trust. He was forced to live in exile because of the abuse on the rule of law. The people deem it unacceptable for the double standard for law enforcement.

As the last resort for the people to rely on, it is our fervent hope that Your Majesty, who is just and far-sighted, will not allow your subjects to be mired by their grievances for too long by granting the royal pardon to Thaksin.

Therefore he will once again enjoy the freedom to return and serve the country, at least as an economic adviser to dispel our grievances as we, the petitioners, remain confident in his capability.

In submitting the petition, we expect to foster reconciliation although we humbly abide by Your Majesty's discretion.